Turkish military 'fighting for Afrin's women, children'

Turkish soldiers are fighting for women and children trapped in Syria's Afrin region, according to a ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party lawmaker on Thursday.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, parliamentarian Ayşe Kesir drew attention to the plight of women and children in Afrin who were being mistreated by the YPG/PKK terror group.

"Aggrieving of women by terror groups is the heaviest and brutal result of violence there," Kesir, who is a lawmaker from northwestern Duzce province, said.

She said Turkey was giving an opportunity of salvation to women and children of Afrin through the ongoing Operation Olive Branch.

Kesir added Turkey was freeing women and children from the control of YPG/PKK terror group in Afrin.

"There, actually, Turkish soldiers are fighting for women and children as well," she said.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and that "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.